The Story of Two Brothers, A Tribute to Gary

September 17, 2011 by allenlevi

This recording is from the last concert i played, a month ago, after deciding to cancel most of my autumn schedule so that i could be here with Gary. … i hesitated to perform it for fear that it might be inappropriate to impose my situation on an audience that had come to be entertained, maybe only entertained, at a celebratory black tie event. On the counsel of pianist Dewayne, and following the lead of my heart that it might be forgivable and maybe even helpful to inject a sobering reality onto the canvas of the evening, i played the song. It was the last song, number 7, of the evening. Most importantly to me, it made Gary happy. … i am very grateful for the Springer Opera House and their gracious staff for allowing me to be part of the very special evening, and for an audience that listened with their hearts. i hope you enjoy the song.

Like this:

2 bloggers like this post.

Posted in Uncategorized | 24 Comments

24 Responses

on September 17, 2011 at 7:28 pm | Reply Jerry Buchanan

Allen. this was brilliant, moving, i do not know how you did it. But i am glad that you did. I could never have done it. Please call me when you can. Love to you and Gary. Call me. I would dearly love to talk to you. Best, Jerry b
on September 17, 2011 at 8:11 pm | Reply thondanell

wow – a beautiful testament of love… thanks for sharing! Lots of folks in Memphis praying for y’all.
on September 17, 2011 at 10:07 pm | Reply Stephanie Grantham

God bless you, Allen, as you spend this time ministering to your beloved brother. Our prayers are with all of you.
Chip, Stephanie, Bailey, & Marlyn Grantham
on September 17, 2011 at 11:17 pm | Reply alicesbunnyblog

The songs do matter Allen. God has given you a talent to communicate truths even in the most difficult times. This is a beautiful tribute to your brother. Our family will continue to pray for you and Gary.
on September 18, 2011 at 1:57 am | Reply Grandin Eakle

I have but these words right now…. Unconditional love is beautiful!!… Thank you for sharing your heart!!! Love and Prayers to all!!! Grandin
on September 18, 2011 at 7:42 am | Reply Karen Edwards

Allen, You are an AWESOME story teller. I agree with Jerry in that I do not know how you did it, but I am also glad you did. You and Gary are so close to my heart, and I pray for all of your family many times during the day. God bless you for writing this and singing this song.
on September 18, 2011 at 10:32 am | Reply Debbi Chesney

That was amazing- I am praying for you and your family.
What a blessing to have a big brother like you- to carry on the message, the torch.

Debbi Chesney
San Antonio, TX
on September 18, 2011 at 1:48 pm | Reply Kent and Joanne Young

Allen, Kent and I thought it was a beautiful tribute to Gary. No one should be offended when love is extended as you did in your song to him. We’re sure it touched the heart strings of many. God bless, and we’ll continue to lift your family up in prayer. Love to all. Joanne and Kent
on September 18, 2011 at 7:22 pm | Reply Graham Dukes

There simply are not words to describe those touching 13 minutes and 51 seconds. And, the sweet, simple message had the power to alter behavior, direction and lives. That’s the beauty of your poetry – not only that it entertains but that it impacts. You should be aware that people you don’t even know lift you and Gary and your loved ones in prayer daily.
on September 19, 2011 at 9:41 am | Reply Fawad..

Brother Allen … İ Love you Brother .. Please pass my greetings to brother Gary too .. tell him Fawad Loves you Allot … Allen you are the greatest brother Ever .. İ am always proud of you and Gary .. !!!
With Million Love : Fawad ( Yours and Garys Student and brother in Christ )
on September 19, 2011 at 6:39 pm | Reply Bobby Joe Pegritz

My dear Allen,

Yesterday was my birthday and today, I heard your musical tribute to Gary. And I am quite undone. But in the most wonderful way. Your music has, does and will always touch hearts. I agree with the others. This had to be so difficult but with God’s help, even this is possible. Well done my friend. Well done.
on September 19, 2011 at 9:13 pm | Reply Susan St. John

There are no words. Such a precious, precious love.
on September 20, 2011 at 7:47 am | Reply Jackie Walker

Levi, ( I’ll always have difficulty calling you anything else)

I am sitting in my office with a student who is taking a make-up test. She came in as I was listening to THE song. She was clueless, but by the end we both had tears. I am sure it was difficult to write and to perform, but we all thank you for doing so.

We enjoyed our porch visit last week. I don’t know why we let time pass without tending to our friendship. I suppose real deep friendships can go a time without tending, but WE needed that visit. Thanks to you all for carving out that time for us.

We pray for you all every day, and treasure your family. MUCH love………….

Jackie
on September 20, 2011 at 9:23 pm | Reply Bruce Boring

Amen…and Amen…Praying ! …in JESUS name !!!
on September 21, 2011 at 1:15 pm | Reply Connie

How sweet you are to share such a personal, beautiful and touching moment with so many people! Your love for one another is a testament to us all! Know that we continue to lift Gary, and your entire family, up in prayer! May our God continue to shine his love on you all! Connie
on September 22, 2011 at 7:50 am | Reply Durwood Fincher

STUNNING BY ANY MEASURE. BUT I AM NOT SURPRISED. THIS IS A REFLECTION OF LOVE, FAMILY, AND HOPE. ALL INGREDIENTS OF Y’ALL.
THANK YOU FOREVER FOR BEING YOU ALLEN. NOW CONTINUE. . .
on September 22, 2011 at 9:13 pm | Reply John & Lyle Illges

Allen, you are truly blessed with God’s gift to be able to put into words and music the love you and Gary have for each other. The message is so powerful. Thank you and God bless you and Gary.
on September 23, 2011 at 4:19 am | Reply Terri Smith

I have reflected on this post many times since I saw it just two days ago, struck by the tenderness of your love for Gary and the way in which you are both holding onto and testifying to the things which you most deeply believe. Right before I listened to your post, I had read another blog from a man whose father died. Sometime before his father died, he and his dad, as they sat on the front porce, played their harmonicas together. He said, “Then Dad asks what he always asks at the end of these sessions. ‘Do you know this one?’ He leads and I follow into a familiar song of our fondest hope. The words are held in our hearts, the melody brings them to mind.”

My heart can sing when I pause to remember

A heartache here is but a stepping stone

Along a trail that’s winding always upward.

This troubled world is not my final home.

The things of earth will dim and lose their value

If we recall they’re borrowed for a while;

And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble,

Remembered there will only bring a smile.

But until then my heart will go on singing,

Until then with joy I’ll carry on

Until the day my eyes behold the city,

Until the day God calls me home.

–Stuart Hamblen

Copyright 1958, Hamblen Music Co., Inc.

Keep on singing your songs, Allen, both old and new. Until the day we all sing that newest of songs in the best of places before our great God.
on September 23, 2011 at 11:14 am | Reply Janet Mauldin

Just BEAUTIFUL…so touching! What a special tribute to your brother!
GOD bless you and your family!
on September 23, 2011 at 9:37 pm | Reply Teresa Holland

I lost my brother 7 years ago today, when he was 42, so it was only fitting that I should discover this beautiful tribute to your brother this evening. I will pray for your brother Gary, for him to continue to be mightily used of God as it appears he already has been, and for you and your family. (I read he was doing chemo/radiation treatments at the JBACC, and God used this place to heal me of my own cancer.) I have loved your music a long time because of what’s behind it, now even more so. Keep sharing your music, and God through it.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:48 am | Reply Wes Perry

Allen, the only response I have is:
Sing brother Sing!

I miss you and love you!God’s blessings,
wes
on October 2, 2011 at 2:27 pm | Reply Babs McKnight

Dear Allen, We are moved beyond words for this tribute to Gary, but mostly to unconditional love. Please continue to ” tell the stories of days gone by “. Wold love to see you and Gary,

Babs and Brian McKnight
on October 14, 2011 at 6:54 am | Reply James Hare

Thank you Allen. My Mother went home to be with the Lord this week and I was comforted by your story and song. May our God continue comforting you, Gary, and your family in the way only he can do. Grace and peace,
Jim Hare
on November 9, 2011 at 8:04 pm | Reply Margret

Beloved of the Lord and so precious to everyone, thank you! Thank you very much.

I have experienced loss and have many loved ones waiting for me when it’s my turn to go Home, yet I know that your experience is absolutely unique. So I’ll not be saying, “I’ve been there,” because that’s highly inappropriate.

What I will say, precious man of God, is this (and it’s in the context of bringing some sobriety into an evening where you might wonder if people only want to be entertained): Twice I’ve been privileged to hear Michael Card, a story teller much as you are, with a heart for God as deep as yours, and love for all His creation. Each time he said he had committed to pray daily for his friend, Steve Green, and asked that we join him in this daily prayer. I’ve had many blessings in my life, shared much of the beauty and grace of God, and expect much more because our God is faithful. That said, I have never felt something as wonderful as that.

So don’t feel concerned about your audience’s not liking the sharing of your heart. It endears you more to them than you can possibly imagine.

Finally, I would say this: the writer of Hebrews spoke of a great cloud of witnesses encouraging us as we walk and run the race set before us. Brother the Younger was your greatest encourager while he walked this earth. He now joins all the rest who are already your greatest encouragers. And, please God, I hope to be such an encourager while here, if only in prayer, even though I’ve not met you and am only recently come to the table of your precious musical bounty.

I grieve for you, beloved of the Lord, and am so sorry for your loss. I also stand beside you, hoping to lend whatever encouragement I may until that blessed time when no one need ever say “good-bye” again.

All of Heaven’s best,
Margret